Bird Glossary - Pecking Order

Guest Author - Lisa Shea

Pecking order is a phrase commonly used with humans, meaning the way that those with power pick on those without power. It is about the same with chickens, where the phrase originated. The "head chicken" can dominate anyone else in the flock, pecking at them and pecking at any food she wishes. The second chicken in order can harass anyone but the head chicken and so on.